Chapter 786: Two Letters

On Lake Island, Li Zhouluo, clad in a black robe, was hunched over a desk, holding a brush. The lights in the hall were dim. Di Liguang stood silently below the dais.

An old man was ascending the steps, his back ramrod straight. His features were regular, but his sunken cheeks made him appear exceptionally aged, and his expression was grim. A dark, precious sword hung at his waist, inspiring awe and trepidation.

Li Zhouluo raised an eyebrow in surprise. Seeing him approach the hall, he quickly put down his brush and rose. He said in a low voice, “Elder Donghe has arrived... Why didn't you say anything sooner? You shouldn't have had to make such a trip.”

In recent years, Chen Donghe had become remarkably thin, growing increasingly silent and less like his former self. His skin seemed to hang loosely on his bones. Standing in the hall, after performing the customary bow, he said in a raspy voice, “This old man is advanced in years, rigid and old-fashioned. I dare not speak too much in the hall; I merely came to see the Family Head.”

Li Zhouluo did not frequently wear the family head's ceremonial robes. Only for extremely formal occasions, and only when absolutely necessary, would he retrieve and don that robe. The number of times he had worn it over the years was negligible. On a daily basis, he still habitually wore his black robe.

Chen Donghe took but a single glance, clearly recognizing the style of the black robe: Li Yuanjiao.

The last person in the family who habitually wore a black robe was Li Yuanjiao, personally entrusted by Li Tongya before his death. He was also, arguably, the patriarch who truly managed the household affairs for the Ji lineage. Although Li Yuanjiao had been adopted from the Bo lineage, at that time, he was considered a member of the Ji lineage.

This young family head, it seemed, was asserting his legitimacy and expressing his desire to emulate and learn. As for his actual capabilities, he likely couldn't compare to Li Yuanjiao.

Chen Donghe had only just glanced over when Li Zhouluo opened his mouth and smiled, “Elder Donghe, you are too humble... The family is currently in need of talent. Chen Yang has repeatedly distinguished herself on the East Bank, repelling demonic cultivators several times, and even advanced by feigning retreat, almost capturing one alive. I must congratulate the Elder.”

“Congratulate Wangyue instead,” the old man replied, then asked, “I heard these past two days that Fei Qingyi of the Fei family intends to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and has come to the hall to pay respects, hoping to obtain a Suiduan Pill. Is this true...?”

Li Zhouluo had a slight headache. The matter was indeed significant, and had been widely discussed these past few days. He nodded and said, “Yes, indeed. All the clans are watching this pill closely. He is currently residing in the side hall, awaiting an audience with me.”

Chen Donghe held extremely high prestige within the family. For several years now, he hadn't held many positions of real power, nor did he frequently meet people. Had it not been for the recent clamor surrounding this news, it wouldn't have disturbed him. However, the old man did not inquire further about the Fei family's affairs. Instead, he said, “I heard... that there is a shortage of manpower on the lake. Now that Fei Qingyi is about to go into seclusion, I can no longer sit idle. I am here to offer my services to the lake.”

Li Zhouluo was instantly surprised and delighted. After all, Qingdu was still vacant, with no suitable candidate, and Li Jiangxia had returned to the East Bank. Chen Donghe's high prestige would undoubtedly bring reassurance. So he said, “Elder, your integrity is commendable. I entrust the affairs of Qingdu to you. I will draft the documents immediately. Thank you for your trouble, Senior!”

Chen Donghe slightly closed his eyes, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.

The Qingdu matter was a thankless task, one that often incurred resentment. Chen Donghe's support undoubtedly resolved an urgent problem for Li Zhouluo. He mused to himself, “It's likely that the Venerable Elder himself persuaded him to come help me... Ah...”

Li Zhouluo had no time for further contemplation; the Fei family's affairs were still vexing him. He took out a letter from his desk. It was from Li Xizhi, the Pavilion Master of Qingchi's Jiutian Pavilion, and his own paternal grandfather.

The letter mentioned many people, expressing deep care and concern. It also stated that he had gone to the South Sea to suppress demonic cultivators and thus could not visit home often. However, it contained some crucial information: “Fei Qingyi... has gradually grown close to Qin Xian, the Peak Master of Siyao Peak within the sect, and there are recent intentions of formalizing their engagement...”

Although Fei Qingyi seemed detached from worldly struggles, she was no simple person. Just a few days ago, she had sought out Li Xizhi, claiming that both her parents had passed away and she had no elders in her family. She hoped Li Xizhi could act as an elder to accept Qin Xian's marriage proposal on her behalf, and her words were quite sincere.

In his letter, Li Xizhi specifically mentioned that Qin Xian was a close confidant of Tantai Jin, and their relationship was excellent. Tantai Jin, moreover, had always represented the interests of the Si family. How much genuine emotion and sincerity there was in this situation remained unclear.

Against this backdrop, Fei Qingyi's breakthrough became rather significant. Fei Qingyi had formed a powerful connection, imbuing the entire Fei family with a different aura. Fei Qingyi's further achievement of Foundation Establishment made Li Zhouluo uneasy.

After much deliberation, he finally commanded, “Let Fei Qingyi enter!”

Di Liguang immediately withdrew. Before long, a man in white ascended to the hall. He possessed a handsome and refined countenance, with a round face, close-set eyebrows and eyes, and vibrant red lips contrasting with white teeth. His appearance was truly striking. He bowed and said, “Qingyi greets the Family Head!”

It was Li Zhouluo's first time meeting him. He couldn't help but say, “Qingyi, your looks are truly remarkable. It's often said that the men of the Fei clan on the North Bank are the most handsome, and it proves true.”

Fei Qingyi replied respectfully. Li Zhouluo then inquired about the recent situation of the Fei family, the spiritual rice harvest, and whether the cultivators sent by the family elders to oversee the prefecture peaks were performing their duties diligently.

The Fei clan had only been affiliated for a generation, and the Li family had been very lenient towards them. Those sent to oversee them were either members of the Fei family or individuals who were well-disposed towards them. Naturally, in Fei Qingyi's account, everything was perfect. After a roundabout discussion, Li Zhouluo's expression grew serious as he said, “Breaking through to Foundation Establishment is a matter of life and death. Since you are preparing for this breakthrough, Qingyi, have you informed your family? Have you sent a letter to Qingchi? What was their reply?”

When asked about Fei Qingyi, the young man clearly hesitated for a moment. He replied, “I have already sent a letter. My sister's instruction was... that there is no need for a reply from the family. Everything should follow established procedures: report to the Lake, then send it to Qingchi. As for the Suiduan Pill... that too should follow the Lake's regulations.”

Evidently, regardless of whether Fei Qingyi could provide this pill, she at least dared not directly procure it for him. Her attitude towards the Fei family was strictly business-like. Upon hearing this, Li Zhouluo asked, “Qingyi's joyous occasion is approaching, and indeed, she shouldn't be disturbed. The Lake already has arrangements for this matter. Given that Qingyi cultivates 'Cold Qi,' this Suiduan Pill will be allocated based on merit, and the quota must also be discussed at the peak. It is not something I can decide alone. You must first go and pay your respects to the Venerable Elder and hear his opinion.”

Fei Qingyi nodded repeatedly. The young man then hesitated and asked, “Joyous occasion?”

The young man's eyes widened in astonishment, revealing genuine shock. His expression, a mix of surprise and doubt, did not seem feigned, and this made Li Zhouluo's heart skip a beat. *'Fei Qingyi never mentioned her engagement to the Fei family at all! This...'*

Currently, Fei Qingyi was staring blankly at the ground, his pupils dilated. Li Zhouluo felt a touch of awkwardness. He immediately realized that Fei Qingyi's estrangement from the Fei clan and her attempts to avoid suspicion were not entirely feigned, nor was her avoidance directed solely at his family. As he handed Di Liguang the small note from Ding Weizeng requesting an audience, which lay on the desk, he hesitated and said, “It seems our family's news travels fast. I heard it was a great joyous occasion, though the details I heard were vague. Daoist Fei Qingyi and a Peak Master within the sect have developed a deep affection for each other.”

At his words, Fei Qingyi was both surprised and delighted. Just as he was about to ask more questions, Di Liguang stepped forward to report, respectfully interrupting, “Family Head, Guest Elder Ding has an urgent report.”

“Good! Please invite him in quickly!” Li Zhouluo replied with great joy. Fei Qingyi was still quite perceptive; even though he was filled with doubts, he could only withdraw upon hearing this. Once he had hastily disappeared into the side hall's corridor, Li Zhouluo's joyful expression vanished, and he said in a low voice, “Please bring Ding Weizeng up.”

Only then did Di Liguang withdraw. However, he heard a flurry of footsteps. It was Chen Yang, who rushed into the hall first with a spirited vigor. Her magical robe was disheveled, and there was a faint red scratch on her neck. Yet her expression was one of great surprise and delight. She bowed and said, “Family Head, the Duxian Dao has retreated!”

Li Zhouluo suddenly rose from his main seat. His expression was invigorated, and he exclaimed joyfully, “What?!... Where are the Xuan Yue cultivators? How is the territory?”